Kota Belud and Tuaran Day Trip by Car from Kota Kinabalu
If Kinabalu Park is too big a day, Tuaran and Kota Belud are the gentle answer. The drive is short, the roads are straightforward and the stops are local: noodles, markets and open countryside.
At a glance
- Tuaran: about 35 km from Kota Kinabalu, around 45 minutes.
- Kota Belud: about 75 km from Kota Kinabalu, around 1.5 hours.
- Plan: Tuaran in the morning, Kota Belud at midday, back in the evening.
Morning: Tuaran
Start with breakfast. Tuaran is known for its egg noodles, called Tuaran mee, so ask for them at a local coffee shop. Nearby, the water village at Mengkabong has houses on stilts, and you can see it from the road and the bridge. Local markets (tamu) run on set days, often on Sunday, so check the day before you go.
Midday: Kota Belud
Kota Belud sits on a wide plain of rice fields, with the mountains behind it. On a clear day the view is the reason to come. The town is also known for its Bajau horsemen, usually seen at festivals and special events rather than every day. If you are here on a market day, expect busy streets and crowded parking.
Afternoon: head back
Leave Kota Belud by mid-afternoon to be back in Kota Kinabalu before the evening traffic. You can also carry on north to Kudat, as in our Tip of Borneo 2-day drive.
Which car
Any car handles this route. The Perodua Myvi 1.5 (RM160 a day) is easy to park at busy markets, and the Perodua Bezza 1.3 (RM160 a day) has a closed boot for what you buy. Travelling as a family? The Perodua Alza 1.5 (RM270 a day) seats seven. See all cars on the fleet and prices page.
Tips
- Go early. Markets and roads are quieter in the morning.
- Bring cash for food and small purchases.
- Pack a hat and water. Rice-field stops have little shade.
This trip fits well on the last day of our 3-day self-drive itinerary.